Diversified motion device in a steering game amusement machine

ABSTRACT

In a steering game machine having a single controllable moving object placed upon an opaque surface to be moved under the player&#39;&#39;s control in relation with the motion of several free moving objects also placed upon the opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction therethrough, a first disk is rotatably mounted on a carriage which can linearly reciprocate below the opaque surface. A pair of first revolvable shafts are mounted uprightly on the first disk, each rotatably supporting a respective second disk above the first disk. A pair of second revolvable shafts are mounted uprightly on each of the second disks, each of the second shafts carrying a magnet on its upper end. By means typically consisting of sprocket wheels and an endless chain, the aforesaid first shafts are caused to revolve only around the axis of the first disk but not on their own axes, and the second shafts are similarly caused to revolve only around the axis of each of the second disks but not on their own axes, so that the free moving objects are maintained in a predetermined direction while being moved in various ways by the magnets on the upper ends of the second shafts.

United States Patent [191 Ochi et al.

[111 3,823,941 [451 July 16, 1974 DIVERSIFIED MOTION DEVICE IN A STEERING GAME AMUSEMENT MACHINE [75] Inventors: Shikanosuke Ochi, Tokyo; Norio Yasuda, Soka, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises,

Tokyo-to, Japan 22 Filed: June 28,1973 21 App]. No.: 374,653

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 31, 1972 Japan 47-2823 [52] US. Cl. 273/86 B, 46/240, 273/1 M, 273/86 H [51] Int. Cl. A63f 9/14 [58] Field of Search 273/86 B, 86 H, 1 E, l M; 35/1 1,46/240 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eric H. Waters [5 7 ABSTRACT In a steering game machine having a single controllable moving object placed upon an opaque surface to be moved under the players control in relation with the motion of several free moving objects also placed upon the opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction therethrough, a first disk is rotatably mounted on a carriage which can linearly reciprocate below the opaque surface. A pair of first revolvable shafts are mounted uprightly on the first disk, each rotatably supporting a respective second disk above the first disk. A pair of second revolvable shafts are mounted uprightly on each of the second disks, each of the second shafts carrying a magnet on its upper end. By means typically consisting of sprocket wheels and an endless chain, the aforesaid first shafts are caused to revolve only around the axis of the first'disk but not on their own axes, and the second shafts are similarly caused to revolve only around the axis of each of the second disks but not on their own axes, so that the free moving objects are maintained in a predetermined direction while being moved in various ways by the magnets on the upper ends of the second shafts.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIEU JUL I 6mm sum 1 or 5 FIG.I

PAIENTED JUL 1 6 I974 SHEEI 2 0F 5 PATENTEB JUL I 61974 SHEET t 0F 5 I a. N 2 7 m 0 0 M z 0 W PATENTEB JUL 1 61974 saw 5 or 5 FIG.6

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a steering game machine in which a single controllable moving object is steered by the player so as to follow or outrun a plurality of free moving objects on a running surface on which a continuously changing image of road pattern is projected to produce the illusion of speeding vehicles or the like. More specifically, the invention is directed to a device for imparting diversified motion to such free moving objects in the steering game machine in such a manner that the objects are all maintained in a predetermined direction throughout their diversified motion.

In known steering game machines of this type, the motion of the free moving objects has been so simple that it has been quite easy for the player to learn by heart the entire prescribed courses of their motion after playing with the machine several times. He is then no longer able to test his true steering skill on the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a device for causing highly diversified, hardly memorizable motion of several free moving objects in a steering game machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and which can easily be incorporated in steering game macnines of known configuratron.

With these objects in view and the other objects hereinafter set forth, this invention provides, in a steering game machine of the type referred to, a device including a first disk rotatably mounted on a nonrotatable shaft mounted uprightly on a carriage which is mounted below an opaque running surface for linear reciprocation parallel thereto. At least one first revolvable shaft is mounted uprightly on the first disk off the center thereof. A first nonrotatable sprocket wheel or the like is fixedly mounted on the aforesaid stationary shaft, while a first revolvable sprocket wheel or the like of the same diameter as the first nonrotatable sprocket wheel is fixedly mounted on the first revolvable shaft. These sprocket wheels are interconnected by an endless chain so that upon rotation of the first disk, the first revolvable shaft is caused to revolve only around the axis of the first disk but not on its own axis.

A second disk is rotatably mounted on the first revolvable shaft, and at least one second revolvable shaft is supported uprightly on this second disk off the center thereof. This second revolvable shaft is also operatively connected with the first revolvable shaft by means such as sprocket wheels and an endless chain so that upon rotation of the second disk, the second revolvable shaft is caused to revolve only around the axis of the second disk but not on its own axis. Consequently, the free moving object placed upon the opaque running surface and formed substantially integral with a magnet at its bottom is maintained in a predetermined direction while being moved in diversified ways by a corresponding magnet fixedly mounted on the upper end of thesecond revolvable shaft.

ferred embodiment thereof;

The sprocket wheels and endless chains adapted for causing the first and the second revolvable shafts to rotate only around the axes of the first and the second disks respectively but not on their own axes are replaceable by pulleys and endless belts, by gear trains, or by trains of friction wheels, as will be referred to in more detail in the following description of a preferred embodimentof the invention.

The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and mode ofoperation, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the'following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering game machine for which'the device of this invention is adaptable;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in vertical section of the steering game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing some essential parts of the device of the invention byway of a pre- FIG. 4 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in front elevation showing in greater detail the construction of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are perspective views each showing a first disk, a pair of second disks, and some associated parts, for a description of operation of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view explanatory of the operating principles of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the steer ing game machine illustrated therein and provided with a preferred embodiment of this invention includes a cabinet 1 of the type used prevalently for game machines of this class. The cabinet 1 is conveniently provided with a transparent front top covering 2 such as a plate of glass, a coin slot 3, and a steering handlebar 4.

having an accelerating grip 5 on one end thereof.

Within the cabinet 1 there is fixedly mounted an opaque running surface 6 of nonmetallic material at a suitable angle to the plane of the horizon. A single controllable moving object 7 and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) free moving objects 8 are provided on the running surface 6, the moving objects 7 and 8 being in the form of miniaturized vehicles or the like and being substantially integrally provided with magnets at their respective bottoms. A projector 9 of well known construction is mounted in a suitable position above the running surface 6 in order to project continuously moving images of a desired road pattern on the running surface in accordance with the prior art.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mounting base 10 is fixedly installed within the cabinet I so as to be parallel to the running surface 6. A pair of parallel rails 11 are secured to the mount 10 to slidably support a carriage 12. An endless chain 13 extending between and around a cooperative pair of sprocket wheels 14 is coupled at one point thereof to a member 15 extending downwardly from the bottom of the carriage 12. One of the sprocket wheels .14 is driven by a reversible motor 18 through a pulley'16 and an endless belt 17, so that the carriage 12 is linearly reciprocable along the rails 11.

A nonrotatable shaft 19 is mounted vertically at the center of the carriage 12. A first disk 20 is rotatably supported on the shaft 19 and can be rotated by friction with a friction wheel 23 on circumferential contact therewith, the friction wheel 23 being fixedly mounted on the output shaft of a motor 22 supported by the carriage 12. The first'disk' 20 is further fixedly provided with a bracket 21 supporting apair of motors 36 respectively on two ends thereof. v A nonrotatable sprocket wheel 24 fixedly mounted on the shaft 19 is engaged with an endless chain 25 which also'is engaged with a pair of revolvable sprocket wheels 26 fixedly mounted on revolvable shafts 27 respectively, which are supported vertically in diametrically opposed positions on the first disk 20 through sleeves 28, respectively. A pair of second disks 29 are rotatably mounted on respective revolvable shafts 27 above sprocket wheels 34 which are secured to respec tive shafts 27.

A diametrically opposed pair of revolvable shafts 31 are mounted on each of the second disks 29 through sleeves 30, and a permanent magnet 32 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of each of these shafts 31. Sprocket wheels 33 are also secured to the lower ends of respective shafts 31, and an endless chain 35 is engaged with the sprocket wheels 33 secured to the shafts 31 of each second disk 29 and with each of the afore said sprocket wheels 34 secured to the respective shafts 27. i v

The aforesaid motors 36 carried by the bracket 21 on the first disk 20 have friction wheels 37 on their respective output shafts for rotating the second disks 29 by being placed in frictional contact therewith. It is assumed that the sprocket wheels 24 and 26 as well as the sprocket wheels 33 and 34 are of the same pitch and diameter respectively.

By, the above described configuration of the steering game machine according to the invention, the free moving objects 8.are permitted to move in highly diversified ways while being held in a predetermined direction, as will be understood from the following description of the operating principles of the invention with reference to FIG. 8.

" An arm 43 is revolvably supported at one end thereof by a shaft 40 extending axially of a stationary sprocket wheel 41, and another sprocket wheel 42 of the same diameter as the first mentioned sprocket wheel 41 is revolvably supported on the other end of the arm 43. An

' endless chain 44'extends between the sprocket wheels 41 and 42. if now the arm 43 is turned either clockwise, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, or counterclock wise, then the sprocket wheel 42 will be revolved only around the shaft 40 but not on its own axis, as indicated by the arrows A in the same figure.

It will be apparent that the same results are obtain-V able if the sprocket wheels 41 and 42 and the endless chain 44 are replaced by: (l) a pair of pulleys and an (3) a pair of gear wheels and another gear wheel rotatably mounted on the arm 43 intermediate between the two ends thereof to mesh with both of the first recited gear wheels. it is therefore to be understood that throughout this specification and the appended claims the term circular bodies is used to mean all such sprocket wheels, pulleys, friction wheels, gear wheels, and the like employable to provide the results described previously with reference to FIG. 8.

For operation of the steering game machine described above in relation with FIGS. 1 to 4, the player is required first to drop a coin or coins of prescribed denomination into the slot 3, whereupon a power switch, not shown, is closed to keep the machine in operating condition for a predetermined length of time with the aid of a timer also not shown in the drawings. The projector 9, FIG. 2, now becomes operative to project the continuously charging image of road pattern on the running surface 6 in accordance with the prior art. The thus projected image of road pattern flows from the right to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, of the running surface'6, so that the player, seeing through the transparent from covering 2, has the illusion that the controllable moving object 7 and the free moving objects 8 are moving from the left to the right of the running surface at the speed with which the continuously changing image of road pattern flows as aforesaid.

The player is then instructed to operate the steering handlebar 4 and the accelerating grip 5 to cause the controllable moving object 7 to outrun the free moving objects 8 without colliding therewith, as explained hereinbelow in further detail.

By turning the steering handlebar 4 either to the left or right, the controllable moving object 7 can beturned in the same direction by any suitable or known means not shown in the drawings. Furthermore, by turning the grip 5 on one end of the steering lever in either direction, the reversible motor 18, HQ. 3, can be caused to rotate either in its forward or reverse direction at the speed corresponding to the angle through which the grip has beenturned. This rotation of the motor 18 is translated as aforesaid into the forward or backward travel of the carriage 12 along the rails 11 through the endless belt 17, 'pulley l6, sprocket wheels 14, and endless chain 13.: Hence, the free moving objects 8, whose motion on the running surface 6 is directed by the magnets 32 as will be seen from E16. 4, appear as though they are accelerating or decelerating, due to the difference between the speed at which the free moving objects 8 actually move on the running surface 6 in step with the linear reciprocation of the carriage 12 on the rails 11 and the speed at which the projected image of road pattern flows on the running surface. (The motion of the free running objects 8 resulting from the rotation of the magnets 32 around the shafts 27 and around the shaft 19 will be explained later in this specification.

in the event that the controllable moving object 7 collides with any of the free moving objects 8, a collision sensing switch of any known or suitable construction, provided for each of the free moving objects, will become operative to cause the reversible motor 18 to rotate in such a way that the controllable moving object is outrun by all of the free moving objects, in accordance with the prior art.

The motor 22 for frictionally rotating the first disk 20 and the motors 36 for frictionally rotating the respective second disks 29 are driven at appropriate speed as dictated by control means of any known or suitable type. The first disk and the pair of second disks 29 are thus rotated in their respective controlled directions. Since the sprocket wheel 24 fixedly mounted on the nonrotatable shaft 19 is of the same diameter as the sprocket wheels 26 fixedly mounted on the revolvable shafts 27 supported in diametrically opposed positions on the first disk 20, these shafts 27 are revolved only around the axis of the first disk 20 but not about their own axes as the first disk roates.

Since, moreover, the sprocket wheel 34 fixedly mounted on each of the shafts 27 is of the same diameter as the sprocket wheels 33 fixedly mounted on the shafts 31 revolvably supported in diametrically opposed positions on each of the second disks 29, the shafts 31 on each of the second disks 29 are revolved only around eash shaft 27 but not about their own axes as each second disk is revolved frictionally by the corresponding one of the motors 36.

Hence, because the shafts 27 do not rotate about their own axes regardless of the rotation ofthe first disk 20 as above explained, the magnets 32 affixed to the upper ends of the shafts 31 are maintained'in the predetermined direction regardless of the rotation of the first and the second disks 20 and 29. The free moving objects 8, placed on the running surface 6 and having the magnets at their respective bottoms as previously mentioned, will follow the complex movements of the magnets 32 while being held in the predetermined direction, as will be seen from FIGS. 5 to 7 which illustrate only a few examples of the possible relative positions of the magnets 32 and therefore of the free moving objects 8.

It will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the first disk 20 and the second disks 29 are revolved by their respective motors 22 and 36 at sufficiently reduced speed. While the operations of the motors 22 and 36 may all be regulated by one and the same control means, it is preferable that the direction and/or speed of rotation of these motors be varied simultaneously or separately at prescribed time intervals by use of several program tapes or cards containing different sequences of instructions.

Although the steering game machine according to the invention has been shown and described hereinbefore in terms of a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that all matter described herein or shown in the accompanying drawings is by way of example only and is not restrictive of the invention. For example, the moving objects 7 and 8 can be provided not only in the form of motorcycles as shown in the drawings but in the form of automobiles, bicycles, wateror aircrafts, or even animals. Moreover, the number of the free moving objects 8 can be increased or decreased as desired to meets various requirements in regard to manufacture or installation.

All these and other modifications or changes are intended in the foregoing disclosure. It is therefore appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the proper scope or fair meaning of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a steering game machine of the type having at least one free moving object placed upon an opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction exerted therethrough and a controllable moving object also placed upon said opaque surface to be moved under a players control relative to the motion of said free moving object, the combination of:

a carriage mounted below said opaque surface for linear reciprocation parallel thereto;

a first disk rotatably mounted on a nonrotatable shaft mounted uprightly on said carriage, said first disk being held parallel to said opaque surface;

first drive means for imparting rotation to said first disk;

a first nonrotatable circular body fixedly mounted on said nonrotatable shaft;

at least one first revolvable shaft mounted uprightly on said first disk off the center thereof;

a first revolvable circular body fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shaft, said first revolvable circular body being of the same diameter as said first nonrotatable circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said first disk, said first revolvable shaft rotates only around the axis of said first disk and not about its own axis;

a second disk rotatably mounted on said first revolvable shaft, said second disk being held above said first disk and parallel to said opaque surface;

second drive means for imparting rotation to said second disk; I

a second revolvable circular body fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shaft;

at least one second revolvable shaft mounted uprightly on said second disk off the center thereof;

a revolvable third circular body fixedly mounted on said second revolvable shaft, said third circular body being of the same diameter as said second circular body andbeing operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said second disk, said second revolvable shaft rotates only around the axis of said second disk and not about its own axis; and

a magnet fixedly mounted on the upper end of said second revolvable shaft for applying magnetic attraction to said free moving object through said opaque surface.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first nonrotatable circular body and said first revolvable circular body are both sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels being interconnected by an endless chain.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second circular body and said third circular body are both sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels being interconnected by an endless chain.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive means comprises a motor and a friction wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft of said motor and in circumferential contact with said first disk for frictionally rotating the same.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second drive means comprises a motor and a friction wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft of said motor and in circumferential contact with said second disk for frictionally rotating the same.

6. In a steering game machine of the type having a plurality of free moving objects placed upon an opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction exerted therethrough and a controllable moving object also placed upon said opaque surface to be moved under the players control in relation with the motion of said free moving objects, the combination of:

a carriage mounted below said opaque surface linear reciprocation parallel thereto;

a first disk rotatably mounted on a nonrotatable shaft mounted uprightly on said carriage, said first disk being held parallel to said opaque surface;

first drive means for imparting rotation to said first disk;

a first nonrotatable circular body fixedly mounted on said nonrotatable shaft;

at least a pair of first revolvable shafts mounted uprightly on said first disk in diametrically opposed positions thereof;

a pair of first revolvable circular bodies fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shafts respectively, said first revolvable circular bodies being of the same diameter as said first nonrotatable circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said first disk, said first revolvable shafts rotate only around the axis of said first disk and not about their own axes;

a pair of second disks rotatably mounted on said first revolvable shafts respectively, said second disks being held above said first disk and parallel to said opaque surface;

second drive means for imparting rotation to each of said second disks; v

a second circular body fixedly mounted on each 'of said first revolvable shafts;

V for at least a pair of second revolvable shafts mounted uprightly on each of said second disks in diametrically opposed positions thereof;

a pair of revolvable third circular bodies fixedly mounted on said pair of second revolvable shafts respectively which are mounted uprightly on each of said second disks, said third circular bodies being of the same diameter as said second circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of each of said second disks, said pair of second revolvable shafts rotate only around the axis of each of said second disks and not about their own axes; and

a magnet fixedly mounted on the upper end of each of said second revolvable shafts for applying magnetic attraction to each of said free moving objects through said opaque surface.

7. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said first nonrotatable circular body and said pair of first revolvable circular bodies are sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels being interconnected by an end less chain.

8. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said second circular bodies and said pairs of third circular bodies are sprocket wheels, the sprocket wheel on each of said first revolvable shafts being operatively connected by an endless chain with the sprocket wheels on said pair of second revolvable shafts on each of said second disks. 

1. In a steering game machine of the type having at least one free moving object placed upon an opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction exerted therethrough and a controllable moving object also placed upon said opaque surface to be moved under a player''s control relative to the motion of said free moving object, the combination of: a carriage mounted below said opaque surface for linear reciprocation parallel thereto; a first disk rotatably mounted on a nonrotatable shaft mounted uprightly on said carriage, said first disk being held parallel to said opaque surface; first drive means for imparting rotation to said first disk; a first nonrotatable circular body fixedly mounted on said nonrotatable shaft; at least one first revolvable shaft mounted uprightly on said first disk off the center thereof; a first revolvable circular body fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shaft, said first revolvable circular body being of the same diameter as said first nonrotatable circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said first disk, said first revolvable shaft rotates only around the axis of said first disk and not about its own axis; a second disk rotatably mounted on said first revolvable shaft, said second disk being held above said first disk and parallel to said opaque surface; second drive means for imparting rotation to said second disk; a second revolvable circular body fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shaft; at least one second revolvable shaft mounted uprightly on said second disk off the center thereof; a revolvable third circular body fixedly mounted on said second revolvable shaft, said third circular body being of the same diameter as said second circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said second disk, said second revolvable shaft rotates only around the axis of said second disk and not about its own axis; and a magnet fixedly mounted on the upper end of said second revolvable shaft for applying magnetic attraction to said free moving object through said opaque surface.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first nonrotatable circular body and said first revolvable circular body are both sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels being interconnected by an endless chain.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second circular body and said third circular body are both sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels being interconnected by an endless chain.
 4. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive means comprises a motor and a friction wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft of said motor and in circumferential contact with said first disk for frictionally rotating the same.
 5. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second drive means comprises a motor and a friction wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft of said motor and in circumferential contact with said second disk for frictionally rotating the same.
 6. In a steering game machine of the type having a plurality of free moving objects placed upon an opaque surface to be moved by magnetic attraction exerted therethrough and a controllable moving object also placed upon said opaque surface to be moved under the player''s control in relation with the motion of said free moving objects, the combination of: a carriage mounted below said opaque surface for linear reciprocation parallel thereto; a first disk rotatably mounted on a nonrotatable shaft mounted uprightly on said carriage, said first disk being held parallel to said opaque surface; first drive means for imparting rotation to said first disk; a first nonrotatable circular body fixedly mounted on said nonrotatable shaft; at least a pair of first revolvable shafts mounted uprightly on said first disk in diametrically opposed positions thereof; a pair of first revolvable circular bodies fixedly mounted on said first revolvable shafts respectively, said first revolvable circular bodies being of the same diameter as said first nonrotatable circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of said first disk, said first revolvable shafts rotate only around the axis of said first disk and not about their own axes; a pair of second disks rotatably mounted on said first revolvable shafts respectively, said second disks being held above said first disk and parallel to said opaque surface; second drive means for imparting rotation to each of said second disks; a second circular body fixedly mounted on each of said first revolvable shafts; at least a pair of second revolvable shafts mounted uprightly on each of said second disks in diametrically opposed positions thereof; a pair of revolvable third circular bodies fixedly mounted on said pair of second revolvable shafts respectively which are mounted uprightly on each of said second disks, said third circular bodies being of the same diameter as said second circular body and being operatively connected therewith by means such that upon rotation of each of said second disks, said pair of second revolvable shafts rotate only around the axis of each of said second disks and not about their own axes; and a magnet fixedly mounted on the upper end of each of said second revolvable shafts for applying magnetic attraction to each of said free moving objects through said opaque surface.
 7. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said first nonrotatable circular body and said pair of first revolvable circular bodies are sprocket wheels, said sprocket wheels Being interconnected by an endless chain.
 8. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said second circular bodies and said pairs of third circular bodies are sprocket wheels, the sprocket wheel on each of said first revolvable shafts being operatively connected by an endless chain with the sprocket wheels on said pair of second revolvable shafts on each of said second disks. 